First, a belated new year greeting. Once again, I've been busy. Sure, it seems paltry. But '07 is about to get hectic...

Returning to that apparent NAMBLA WMD dropped upstairs, I wanted to spend the week exploring man love. Not this sort. Nor that sort. But, to use the parlance of my day, the spirit of giving daps. The art of showing your propers. 'Nuff respect, dig?

Be it because of (sub-)conscious homophobia or unchecked aggression, man love rarely gets any recognition itself. Which is ironic, or backhandedly hypocritical, considering that one of the recognized promoters of the high five, that iconic and appropriated gesture of exchanging greetings or respect, was Glenn Burke, an openly homosexual pro baseball player (and yet another reason why I will find it difficult to hold the Lost Angels Dodgers in any regard). Also a shame, considering the restrictions it places on male expressions of emotion: it's either a passive acknowledgment of another's existence ('sup) or brokeback (nullus).

I'll explore male exchanges of daps in hip hop for an upcoming Call & Response feature. For now, I will keep the chatter abbreviated and just let loose some random, mental loogies.

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I want to kick this theme off with a blahg roll of sorts, because it's been a while since I've shown propers to my peers:

Joyce: Or should I say Moyce? Joyce Quitasol opened a lovely bakeshop in the heart of Prospect Heights late last summer (with the help of her photographer husband Mo Chin), but hasn't slowed a bit since. Though I loved her baking from the drop, she has continued to surprise and impress with new tricks, like chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting or cranberry bread pudding. And, because she's so gangster, she even started baking bread for the weekend crowd; brioche never melted in my mouth like that (hint: it also holds up well even after a week in the fridge). The bigkids have already shone some press, but do yourself a favor and show some love. Stop by and EAT.

InternetsCelebrities: It seems like DP is the frequent recipient of my mighty five (no Jacko), but a solid congratulations to Rafi and him for going Hollywood Jones at Sundance. Chea, indeed!

Essential Tridentials: Although this is my boy's boy's blend, it features a couple of my boy's tracks... including a killer B'more Bowie mix that melts my face. Feed Me Bass is running this mix shit.

O Archduke's "O Archduke (Campeão do Bundão)": Sure, Brasil is the latest third world heartthrob and baile funk the latest love child of world music and 4080, but Louis Katz introduced me to a beautiful culture. And he has a sense of humor about it. Keep your eyes peeled on Comedy Central this year...

Leukemia Research/Awareness/Cure: The other day, I watched New York Doll, the documentary about the late New York Dolls bassist Arthur "Killer" Kane and his conversion to Mormonism and band reunion. I was struck by the man's calm and peace, even though he passed away from leukemia shortly after the Dolls' reunion show in the UK. Grace under pressure (though he did not know he was ill until a couple hours before his death), indeed. According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's webpage, "the relative five-year survival rate has more than tripled in the past 46 years for patients with leukemia." That said, "an estimated 35,070 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the United States in 2006." If you'd like to learn more or help support the organization's efforts to research, educate, and cure, a friend is co-hosting a worthy event tonight:

"Aileen Castro and Glenna Palley will be hosting; 'If You Think You Can Run It' a Silent Auction to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The event will take place on Thursday February 1st at Maker¹s in New York City, 3rd Avenue and E. 29th Street from 7-10pm. Music provided by DJ Tony Rico.

"Admission is free! 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction go to LLS. We will be accepting cash, checks & credit cards."

You: Lastly, I want to thank the small circle of friends out there in the innernets and beyond. I'd promise to make a more concerted effort to stay on top of my blahging, but I'd be letting loose my M.U.M. Kidding. You'll hear plenny from me this year. Enjoy the quick mix above, just some fun ol' beats from the boys making noise in my head.